Chapter 237: I

Even if not born of the same blood, the grace of upbringing will always surpass the grace of birth.

Ash took a sip of tea and continued, "I'm having you come back this time because I need your help to investigate some things!"

"Help?"

Liu Liu Menglu was stunned for a moment, then nodded and said, "Just tell me what information you need. I'll contact you once there are results."

Ash smiled and said, "I've already obtained your data, but there are still many materials that need to be found. I also need your help on my end; I'm preparing to have you carry out a mission."

"What mission?" Liu Liu Menglu asked hurriedly.

"I need to find the members of the Dragon Tooth Team. They were likely captured by someone, though I don't know their specific location yet." Ash gave a brief explanation.

The Dragon Tooth Team was the nation's highest military secret. Liu Liu Menglu was unaware of the specifics, so after listening, she frowned and said, "In that case, this mission probably won't be easy to complete, right?"

Ash nodded. "Indeed. To enter the Dragon Tooth Team, one must first possess strength at the eighth level of Transcendence or higher. Furthermore, one must obtain special approval; otherwise, you can't even get through the door."

After saying this, he looked at Liu Liu Menglu and said, "I will head directly to the Dragon Group headquarters on this trip. I will call to notify you when the time comes, and you can come find me then."

"Mm."

Liu Liu Menglu nodded, then added, "Don't worry, leave this mission to me; it will definitely be completed. These Dragon Tooth members of yours have all saved my life before, so I will certainly do my utmost to help you find them!"

Seeing her earnest expression, Ash smiled with some relief and said, "I've troubled you during this time."

"It's no trouble at all. I actually wish I could stay with you more," Liu Liu Menglu giggled.

Ash's expression stiffened.

He realized that Liu Liu Menglu's personality seemed a bit eccentric, quite different from the elegant and poised White.

Seeing Ash's awkward demeanor, Liu Liu Menglu's face flushed slightly. She stuck out her tongue and laughed, "Alright, I won't tease you anymore. By the way, earlier in the car, that officer named Han Shuang said you and she were a couple? Are you two dating? I think a big boss like you is a good match for her!"

"She and I are just friends, not a couple. Please don't misunderstand," Ash waved his hands hurriedly.

"Pfft! Is there really a difference between 'just friends' and a couple?" Liu Liu Menglu rolled her eyes.

She then turned serious and said, "Chen, I know you are a martial artist. However, your cultivation realm is still too low! If I were you, I wouldn't dare provoke any enemies; instead, I would focus on raising my cultivation level as quickly as possible!"

"How so?" Ash was startled and asked curiously.

Liu Liu Menglu explained, "In this world, powerful martial artists are rare, but that doesn't mean they don't exist. Just think about it: our China has the Four Dragon Guards, but how many hidden, powerful factions exist in China?"

Ash nodded; he had guessed as much.

Liu Liu Menglu continued, "From what I understand, there is an incredibly vast force of martial artists in China called the Hidden Sect. Legend has it that even the weakest members of the Hidden Sect have reached the peak of the Innate level, and existences at that level are merely the bottom-tier members of the Hidden Sect."

Ash was shocked. If that were the case, his strength was far too inferior compared to this Hidden Sect!

He couldn't help but ask, "Then where is this Hidden Sect located? Is there anything special about it?"

Liu Liu Menglu said, "The people of the Hidden Sect do not operate within Chinese territory; instead, they hide in various secret realms. Every thirty years, they emerge from those secret realms to select one hundred people to be sent to the Kunlun Holy Land!" ### CHAPTER 360

"What! That exaggerated?"

Ash's eyes widened in shock.

Liu Liu Menglu said, "It's not just exaggerated; there is even more terrifying news."

"What news?"

"It is rumored that everyone in the Hidden Sect can kill across ranks!"

Liu Liu Menglu said with a solemn face, "The so-called 'killing across ranks' doesn't refer to a huge gap between martial artists, techniques, or arts, but because they can defeat those of a lower realm than themselves! There are even rumors that people from the Hidden Sect can kill enemies by crossing two levels!"

After hearing this, Ash's heart pounded, and he looked at Liu Liu Menglu in shock.

He knew the classification of a martial artist's cultivation realms: Postnatal, Innate, Transcendence, Carefree Realm, Tire Realm, Profound Passage Realm, Force Transformation, Golden Core, Innate, Golden Body, and Golden Body Realm.

And since Liu Liu Menglu just said that the Hidden Sect could kill enemies by crossing two levels, didn't that mean there were super-experts at the Golden Body Realm within the Hidden Sect?

"What's wrong with you? Why are you staring at me like that?"

Being watched by Ash like this, Liu Liu Menglu's face turned slightly red, and she said with feigned anger, "Don't look at me. Am I not good-looking?" ### CHAPTER 361

"Uh..." Ash gave a dry laugh.

"Hmph!"

Seeing him stammer for a long time without speaking, Liu Liu Menglu said with annoyance, "Alright, I won't tease you. I'm being serious; the Hidden Sect is an extremely mysterious force. Although they are a reclusive sect, they actually rule the martial arts world of the Southern Province from the shadows!"

"Southern Province? That Nanzhou City in China?"

"That's right! Nanzhou City is controlled by them from behind the scenes!" Liu Liu Menglu nodded.

"Hiss—"

Ash gasped. He had originally guessed that the Hidden Sect had a powerful background, but he hadn't expected it to be this powerful.

To actually control the entire martial arts world in Nanzhou City, China—that could almost be called god-like.

In his heart, Ash was ultimately quite fortunate; it was a good thing he hadn't made an enemy of the Hidden Sect back then, otherwise, he would have likely ended up with no place to be buried.

However, he remained puzzled and asked, "Since that's the case, why haven't they turned Nanzhou City into their own territory?"

"Because Nanzhou City has the Dragon Group!"

Liu Liu Menglu sighed, "The Dragon Group is a force founded by a group of martial arts geniuses, specifically responsible for maintaining social stability, handling some tricky cases, and protecting ordinary people from harm! The Hidden Sect is a reclusive force, so they don't dare to clash head-on with the Dragon Group. Besides, it is said that the Sect Master of the Hidden Sect is a very formidable existence."

Ash frowned and said, "Are they doing this to seize the nation's power?"

Liu Liu Menglu nodded and said, "Yes!"

"Does your Dragon Group just let them run wild?"

Ash frowned, feeling worried as he said, "I think you should persuade your grandfather not to go against the Hidden Sect."

"Persuade my grandfather? I've already tried; I've told him several times." Liu Liu Menglu said with a bitter smile, "And guess what happened? I told my grandfather that our Dragon Group and the Hidden Sect had conflicts, and he wouldn't listen; he even scolded me! I feel like I'm not even as important to him as you, my brother-in-law!"

"Uh..."

Ash's mouth twitched. He thought to himself that Liu Yuanxu was probably just afraid that Liu Liu Menglu would be retaliated against by the Hidden Sect.

"Alright, I can't interfere in your Dragon Group's affairs. Regardless, if you encounter any danger in the future, remember to contact me!" Ash said with a cheerful smile.

Liu Liu Menglu nodded and said, "Does this count as you agreeing to take me in?"

"Of course!" Ash nodded. ### CHAPTER 362